Norris struggling to become No. 1 starter

August 15, 2012|Reuters

The Sports Xchange

MLB Team Report - Houston Astros - INSIDE PITCH

A frustrating season for Bud Norris got worse Wednesday as both of his problems crept up again. What could have been a coronation as the Astros' next ace with Roy Oswalt and Wandy Rodriguez gone has fizzled thanks to injuries and a few really rough outings.

Norris gave up six runs in 3 1/3 innings Wednesday and was lifted with a bruised left foot from a comebacker in a 7-2 loss to the Cubs. His foot will be re-evaluated. His season is constantly being evaluated.

"It's been frustrating," Norris said. "I've got a lot of good ones and a lot of bad ones. Being consistent is something you're trying to get and figure out. I think I did a good job with that last year and unfortunately there's been a couple of really bad starts this year and I have to keep plugging away."

Norris' 5.23 ERA is the third highest among qualified starters and much of it can be traced to three starts. Aside from this one, he gave up nine runs in losses at Colorado and Arizona earlier in the year.

What did him in on Wednesday were three home runs from Cubs hitters, giving him 19 on the season. That's tied for the most on the Astros with Jordan Lyles, despite Lyles' time in Class AAA and Norris' three separate injuries.

"It seemed like Bud struggled getting the ball down and they were able to hit those home runs," manager Brad Mills said. "Two of the home runs were preceded by a walk and you hate to see that. One of them was to the pitcher and you hate to see that."

The Astros expect to know more on Friday about whether the bruise could keep him from his next start.

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MLB Team Report - Houston Astros - NOTES, QUOTES

--OF Fernando Martinez, who went 1-for-15 with nine strikeouts in his first stint with the Astros, is 3-for-17 with a home run and three strikeouts in his second. Not great improvement, but the Astros are hopeful that a concussion was the problem the first time around. "I've tried to work every day in the cage and cut down my swing again," Martinez said. "I'm seeing the ball better, I feel very good at home plate, I'm taking more pitches."

--1B Brett Wallace was out of the lineup for the Astros a day after hitting a three-run homer as manager Brad Mills stacked it with righties against right-hander Justin Germano, who actually is tougher on lefties. "Going back and looking at his splits in the minor leagues, looking at his splits last year and looking at his splits this year, that was the main reason," Mills said.

--RHP Francisco Cordero, on the disabled list with a toe injury, left the Astros before Wednesday's game to go to Miami and complete his path to U.S. citizenship. Cordero, a native of the Dominican Republic, passed his citizenship test last week, so only formality remains.

--RHP Bud Norris threw two warm-up pitches to try to stay in after getting hit in the foot with a comebacker but had to leave after 3 1/3 innings of a loss to the Cubs. "I just had a ringing sensation in my foot, just tried to get it calm down and I knew with my landing foot it wasn't going to be pretty," Norris said. "I'm glad I just came out because I didn't want to hurt it any worse than it was."

--2B Jose Altuve went 3-for-4 on Wednesday and continues to establish himself as one of the best second basemen in the league. He leads everybody at the position in the NL with a .305 average and 134 hits after his average had temporarily dropped below .300 earlier in the summer.

BY THE NUMBERS: 4 -- Extra-base hits for INF Scott Moore in a six-at-bat span between Tuesday and Wednesday's games, both of which included a home run.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "I don't know, probably just a reaction." -- RHP Bud Norris on the kick save that ended his night with a bruised foot.

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MLB Team Report - Houston Astros - ROSTER REPORT

MEDICAL WATCH:

--RHP Bud Norris (foot injury) threw two warm-up pitches to try to stay in after getting hit in the foot with a comebacker Aug. 15 but had to leave after 3 1/3 innings of a loss to the Cubs.

--RHP Francisco Cordero (right foot sprain) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to Aug. 2. He left the Astros Aug. 15 to go to Miami and complete his path to U.S. citizenship.

--CF Jordan Schafer (separated left shoulder) went on the 15-day disabled list Aug. 7. He's not expected back before rosters expand on Sept. 1.

--SS Jed Lowrie (right ankle sprain, damage to ulnar nerve) went on the 15-day disabled list July 15. He was fitted with a new leg brace in early August. He expects to return this season.

--RHP Kyle Weiland (right shoulder bursitis) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 25, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on July 15. He underwent surgery May 1 to clear an infection in his shoulder. He began rehabbing May 9, doing mostly range-of-motion and strength exercises.

--LHP Sergio Escalona (Tommy John surgery in April 2012) went on the 15-day disabled list April 4 and was transferred to the 60-day disabled list on June 17. He will miss the entire season.